Trip Notes WALKING THE SPANISH HEARTLAND. Day 2 Valles de Ura. Day 3 Circuit of Muela

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1 Trip Notes Trip Code: TSR Country: Spain Amended: September 2012 Edition No: AD Valid from: 01 Aug Dec 2013 WALKING THE SPANISH HEARTLAND HIGHLIGHTS Follow historic pilgrim routes Enjoy impressive gorges and spectacular scenery Family-run hotel based in a traditional historical village Free day to explore the city of Burgos with its impressive Gothic Cathedral Attend Vespers sung in Gregorian chant by Benedictine monks SUMMARY The high plains of Old Castile encompass the beautiful Sierra de las Mamblas, situated to the south of the city of Burgos. At first glance the range appears to be little more than gentle rolling hills but a closer exploration reveals a landscape of surprising variety: conical summits rise from rolling uplands; north-facing slopes tumble abruptly in craggy escarpments while the valleys that cut the hills are in places green and fertile, in others dramatic and rocky. Our centre is the historical town of Covarrubias (875m) situated on a bend of the Rio Arlanza. The town has a medieval feel with half-timbered houses set in narrow, cobbled streets, imposing town walls and 15th Century collegiate church. Named after the prominent reddish caves nearby, Cuevas Rubias in Spanish, Covarrubias is a compact place and a short walk will bring you out into the Castilan countryside. Groves of almonds and cherries along the river give way to rolling hills featuring a profusion of spring flowers while a wealth of birdlife circles above. Tucked away villages set in narrow gorges, craggy peaks and fertile valleys all encompass this spectacular region. Our walks follow old pilgrim routes across the hills to ancient hermitages such as Nuestra Senora de las Mamblas, on the flank of Muela (1374m). Paths along the crest of the Mamblas offer stunning views over the plains to northerly peaks, while others pass through pretty, remote villages before dropping to dramatic gorges. One of the highlights follows a pilgrim's trail to the village of Santo Domingo de Silos, with its famous monastery. This holiday offers a fascinating mixture of historical pilgrimage routes, impressive gorges and spectacular scenery. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? Grade B The walking is mostly on tracks and paths, but these can be rough. Boots advised. Ascent up to 500m and about five hours walking a day. These ascents are spread over the day. LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Start Covarrubias. (D) Day 2 Valles de Ura We set out from Covarrubias and walk by the Arlanza river to the village of Puentedura for elevenses and then into a gorge to the village of Ura. After lunch we climb out of the gorge and make our way to a hermitage, Ermita de Redonda, and then back to Covarrubias (B,D) Day 3 Circuit of Muela We climb out of Covarrubias to another hermitage, Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Mamblas, for elevenses, followed by lunch on the ridge looking north. After lunch we complete the circuit of Muela and return to Covarrubias down a wooded valley (B,D) Day 4 Rio Arlanza to Santo Domingo de Silos We take hired transport along the Arlanza river and then climb gently onto the plateau for elevenses at the Tenadas de Valcarcel with a second break at Tenadas del Campo and lunch on the top of the ridge facing the spectacular mountain of San Carlos. We descend to Silos with time to visit the Cloister museum (optional) before being collected by our private transport for the return journey to Covarrubias, taking in a short visit to La Yecla gorge on the way back. (B,D) Exodus Travels Ltd Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: (44) Fax: (44) sales@exodus.co.uk

2 Day 5 Free day A suggested day is to take the 09:00 public bus to the cathedral city Burgos and its many sights. Return on 13:00 bus to Covarrubias for tapas lunch at our hotel. The choice of a siesta or short afternoon walk before taking a tour of the town, provided by the tourist office, including a visit to the church museum. (B,D) WEATHER AND SEASONALITY Day 6 The Three Villages We leave Covarrubias by the Arlanza river and climb through vineyards on the way to the first village of Retuerta. We then climb over the ridge and descend to the second village of Castroceniza. Lunch will be taken in this beautiful valley on the way to the third village of Ura. Another climb out of the valley takes us through forest and farmland to a highpoint overlooking Covarrubias, before descending back to the hotel. An optional evening visit to Silos for vespers is possible before dinner. (B,D) Day 7 The Crest of the Sierra de las Mamblas Another steady climb out of Covarrubias brings us through the dense forest to a limestone edge. After lunch we continue along the edge with wonderful views to the Sierra de la Demanda, before descending back to Covarrubias. An optional visit to a bodega (winery) is possible before dinner. (B,D) Day 8 End Covarrubias after breakfast. (B) For those on group flights, these depart in the morning and will arrive in the UK the same day. ACCOMMODATION The Hotel Rural Rey Chindasvinto (3-star) is an elegant conversion of a traditional village house, set in a quiet square within the town walls. The hotel offers comfortable accommodation whilst retaining a mediaeval feel, with each of the rooms named after a local king. Twin bedded and single rooms have shower and WC, TV, telephone and air-conditioning. The excellent dinners are accompanied by complimentary wine and include a good choice of regional and vegetarian dishes. Single Accommodation: A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement of 100 (or approx. US$180). FOOD & TRANSPORT Food All breakfasts and 7 dinners are included. The excellent dinners are accompanied by complimentary wine. Please note that mealtimes in Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually taken between 20:00 and The hotel offers a picnic lunch each day for a charge of 5 or there are local shops to purchase your own materials. Transport Transfers to and from the airport will be in a private bus. On other days, private and public buses will be used. The weather should be warm and sunny, but it may feel quite cold when the temperatures drop overnight - so a fleece is advised for evenings and early mornings. This is northern Spain and a rainy day is always possible, including the possibility of a thunderstorm, so do not forget to take your waterproofs. An umbrella can be useful in a sudden heavy shower and can also be used as a parasol should the temperatures rise! Because of the risk of strong sunlight, suitable sun block should be applied and a sufficient quantity of water should be carried each day - see also 'What to take with you' JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 8 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sat Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of EasyJet or Iberia (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. Due to Easyjet's booking system, we can only purchase flights 6 months before the date of your departure. If you book your trip before this date, a booking confirmation will be sent to you advising that flights are subject to confirmation. We will then secure the flights as soon as they become available. In the case that flights are not available at the original budgeted cost once they are released for sale, a flight supplement will be charged. If the supplement exceeds 10% of the original holiday price, you will be given the right to cancel. Please note that many destinations now require Advanced Passenger Information (API), such as your passport number, date of birth and nationality, to be added to your booking before departure. 2 UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Airport Transfers Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus have booked it. Those arriving from London on non-group flights should read the airport transfer section below for

3 PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas Most nationalities, including British, require a full passport that must be valid for 3 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. Certain European nationalities may be able to travel within Europe on their national identity card. Check carefully with the relevant authorities if you intend to do this. No visa required for British passport holders. information on reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office. JOINING THE TRIP IN COVARRUBIAS 8 days, normally start Covarrubias Sat, end Covarrubias Sat Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Covarrubias in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 12:00. Airport Transfers If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. If you would like us to organise a private transfer, please ask your sales consultant for a quote. Please ensure that you provide us with all relevant information at least 2 weeks before departure. Alternatively, it may be possible to travel by long distance bus to Burgos and then take a taxi, but this is likely to result in a very late arrival. The cost of a taxi is likely to be about 200 (approx. US$320) should you decide to make your way independently. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. Local Time GMT +1 Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 6 and 16 people. There will be a UK leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Spain is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate of 1.26 to the UK and 0.8 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: On this trip we stay in the family-run Hotel Chindas and all the hotel food is home made and by using locally produced and sourced goods. During the trip we also visit one of the village wineries and buy their produce after a tasting! We a use a locally-owned transport company for transfers and we stay in a relatively unknown area of Spain, so clients are providing income to an area that would usually not benefit from tourism. 3

4 JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques There are a several banks in Covarrubias and two ATMs. The hotel does not have a credit system and drinks and other incidentals should be paid for in cash at the time. Extra Expenses and Spending Money The hotel offers a picnic lunch each day for a charge of 5 or there are local shops to purchase your own materials. Drinks and tapas at the hotel are very reasonable - most small drinks and individual tapas cost about 1 each! Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group sizes) The public bus to Burgos costs about 6, but entrance fees to monuments and museums will depend on what you visit (some may be free on the production of an EU passport). The visit to Silos for vespers if likely to cost 5-10 depending on numbers. The town tour of Covarrubias and visit to the church museum will cost about 6. We suggest that you allow about 30 for all of these. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Comfortable walking boots Windproof jacket and warm layers (including a light fleece) Sun hat, sun cream and sun glasses Daypack large enough to hold personal items, like spare clothing, lunch and water bottle (absolute minimum size 1 litre) Waterproofs Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Reading List: Ghosts of Spain - Giles Tremlett (Faber and Faber) is subtitled 'Travels though a country's hidden past' and is a readable interpretation of Spain's history. Rough Guides and Lonely Planet produce good general purpose guides to Spain Maps: Walking maps are not available locally, but may be purchased in the UK from The Map Shop, Upton upon Severn - Telephone: Website: There are three maps that cover all the walks and they are in the 'Cartografía Militar de España 1:50 000' series: Lerma (sheet 19-12) Salas de los Infantes (sheet 20-12) Huerta del Rey (sheet 20-13) If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', 4

5 HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay by cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5